Last of Lust? Or Just Forgotten?
December 15, 2024
Seventy years of the Statute for the Kingdom of the Netherlands—surely worth celebrating, right? Except… have you seen that 240-page report floating around on social media? Written by about 40 people from the bubble? It’s impressive, maybe. But let’s be real: how many people in Curaçao, Aruba, or even the Netherlands woke up today thinking, “Thank goodness for the Statute!” Exactly. Probably no one.
The Statute is like the Kingdom’s constitution for those out of the loop. The document ties the Netherlands and its Caribbean partners—Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten—into one big happy family. On paper, it promises autonomy, equality, and mutual support. In practice? It’s a 70-year-old relic discussed endlessly by academics and politicians trapped in the "kingdom bubble." Meanwhile, the rest of us are just trying to survive hurricanes, pay rent, and make sense of rising food prices.
The real question isn’t whether the Statute is a "last or lust." It’s whether anyone outside this bubble even cares anymore. Does it fix broken schools? Lower the cost of living? Make life better in Philips-burg or Willemstad? If the answer is no, why should the average per-son lose sleep over a document from 1954?
The Statute has had its moments. It held the Kingdom together, ensured islanders got Dutch passports and acted as a lifeline during crises. But let’s not sugarcoat things. It’s also the centerpiece of a strained marriage. The Netherlands often plays the overbearing partner while the islands fight for whatever autonomy they can.
And what about that "democratic deficit"? The Statute preaches equality, but Dutch politicians hold the final word. Caribbean voices are often drowned out. Equality? Hardly.
So, where does this leave us? The Statute is a mixed bag—a safety net for some and a straitjacket for others. It’s managed to keep things from falling apart, but for most people, it’s little more than back-ground noise. It's a policy that matters to elites but means next to nothing to everyday lives.
Maybe it’s time for a rethink. It's not another lengthy academic exercise but an honest conversation involving the people it’s supposed to serve. Until that happens, the Statute will remain what it’s always been: a relic. Neither a last nor a lust—but mostly forgotten.
Miguel Goede
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